Chapter 57 – Vilgard Army vs. Katzbarie Territorial Army

After about a month since the invasion of Katzbarie began, towns and villages have been steadily brought under control. Despite advancing this far, there hasn’t been a full-scale clash with the enemy yet.

An army of about 10,000 was advancing. Since this force was heading towards the unit commanded by Lombard, they joined forces with Garshin’s unit before engaging. They planned to meet the enemy with nearly equal numbers.

Additionally, Kud’s unit started to move to outflank them. Meanwhile, my forces and Laris’s forces continued advancing south.

I thought we could repel the 10,000 enemy soldiers… but they retreated before Kud’s forces could encircle them.

They must have known there were enemy units all over their territory, so they had scouts deployed in all directions in advance. Seeing Kud’s movements, they quickly decided to retreat.

Choosing not to fight here… hey must have a very cautious commander.

Similar encounters occurred afterward, but they always retreated without a clash. As a result, the enemy’s forces remained almost unscathed as they approached the capital.

‘This is a bit different from my expectations…I intended to advance while defeating the territorial army as they came out to intercept us…’

In my prediction, most of the territorial army should have been destroyed by now. With hardly any forces left to defend the capital, I thought the lord would quickly surrender.

No matter how much I try to predict the flow of battle in my head, things don’t always go as planned on the battlefield. Here, I need to read the enemy commander’s thoughts.

From their responses so far, it’s clear they are very cautious. But why are they being so cautious? Is it their personality? Or do they have another objective?

‘The result is that the territorial army has been preserved…But even though we’ve captured many towns up to this point, why would they aim to preserve their forces…’

Initially, when the enemy came out to intercept us with a force of 10,000, they undoubtedly intended to defeat us. However, they abandoned that plan along the way.

Thus, we advanced to the vicinity of the capital, but since they preserved their forces, I decided to consolidate my army here.

‘…Their aim is at this timing. They intend to bring us to a decisive battle without any ambushes. Indeed, this would give the territorial army nearly double our strength.’

Numbers are power. To counter this with a smaller force, ingenuity is required. And I have fought with such ingenuity until today. Naturally, the enemy must have studied this. So then.

‘If I were the enemy commander, I would engage in a situation where ingenuity cannot be employed….A surprise attack.’

Assuming the enemy commander’s personality, I expand my strategy in my mind. The water source near the capital, Lake Labrie. The conditions are set… now.

“Shamia.”

“Yes?”

“There’s a particular place I want you to watch for movements from the capital. Specifically…”

Anticipating all possible scenarios, I plan the strategy ahead. After a long time, our five armies reunite, and we move to the north side of Lake Labrie.

“Vilgard-sama. Tomorrow, you will finally head to the capital, won’t you?”

“Yes. But there is something to be done before that.”

I sent a messenger to the Kyamura tribe’s supply convoy following behind. At this point, it was known that there were about 50,000 soldiers in the capital.

If they were to hole up with that force, it would be troublesome. Depending on the food stored in the capital, a very long-term battle could be expected. However,

‘The enemy commander has likely been preserving their forces for this moment until today… If they were just a coward, they might choose to hole up. But if not… they must see this timing as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’

It also depends on how the enemy acts, but I believe the odds are in our favour. And even if they do hole up, I have a plan to force them out. We can ignore the capital and continue advancing south.

There, a defensive force of 20,000 is stationed. Whether repelled or absorbed, the lord cannot ignore this.

I issue one command after another and then wait to see how the enemy will act.

“Now everyone, move according to the plan.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

■

That night, Maikent led 50,000 soldiers out of the capital. The ground was dark, but they couldn’t light any fires. This army must not be found under any circumstances.

Moreover, this was near the capital. Maikent knew the area well enough. Advancing to Lake Labrie without lights was possible.

“…Found it. Just as I suspected.”

Lake Labrie was vast. Maikent moved close to it and confirmed lights on the opposite shore.

“No mistake. The prince’s army is setting up camp over there. There are many lights… They’ve indeed gathered their forces here.”

Maikent contemplated how to launch a surprise attack at dawn.

He strictly ordered the 50,000 troops not to speak a word and to wait here. Once it was bright enough to see the ground, they would proceed north along the road.

‘Proceeding along the road should lead us to the prince’s camp. And with 50,000 soldiers, we can launch a surprise attack…!’

The enemy would ensure their soldiers got enough sleep tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s assault on the capital. This timing was the only opportunity for victory.

From here on, they would not sleep a wink, simply waiting for that moment. They crouched silently, not moving, holding their breath.

How much time had passed? Finally, the ground was becoming faintly visible.

“Alright…! All troops, begin moving!”

They proceeded, trying to make as little noise as possible. However, there were some who had just been conscripted and occasionally loud footsteps could be heard.

Maybe they should have reduced the number of troops a bit more. But it was too late to reconsider now. With strong tension building, they finally began to enter the road north of the lake. It was then that a report reached Maikent.

“Maikent-sama!”

“What is it?”

“Our scouts have found an enemy unit on the move.”

“What…! Where are they, and how many!?”

Maikent was taken aback by the unexpected development. But after hearing the report, he regained his composure.

The enemy unit seemed to be a supply convoy, likely small in number. Perhaps they were on their way to the campsite.

‘Once the supply convoy reaches the campsite, they might wake the soldiers and start preparing for battle…’

Assuming they would allow the soldiers enough sleep was just Maikent’s speculation. There was also a possibility they would wake them up promptly to prepare for battle.

“Alright…! From here on, increase the marching speed! Let’s strike that supply convoy too!”

“Yes, sir!”

With the increased marching speed, the 50,000-strong army stretched out along the road. The supply convoy also noticed the territorial army and began to accelerate.

“Hurry! First, let’s defeat the supply convoy in front of us! Then, we’ll launch a surprise attack on the campsite!”

“Ooooo!!”

As they ran, Maikent recalled the past. Serving Katzbarie for 40 years. There have been various experiences. He had fought alongside the former lord on the battlefield, even against the imperial army.

The former lord had favoured the commoner Kent, elevating him and bestowing upon him the name Maikent. From there, he had been granted the status of a quasi-noble and had struggled for the sake of Katzbarie.

He remembered when Shred was born. He had raised him as an educator and playmate in place of the busy former lord. And when the greatly indebted former lord passed away from illness, he entrusted his son to Maikent, asking him to assist him in becoming a lord.

‘I must ensure the success of this surprise attack…! Make Prince Vilgard recognize the value of Katzbarie! And persuade Shred-sama to temporarily withdraw his demands and swear allegiance to the prince once again…!’

It would be too late once Godrick’s forces arrived. Then, the bellicose Prince Vilgard would never back down. Could there be anyone who would forgive those who allied with the lord who demanded to bed his wife?

‘The sky is still dark…! This opportunity we’ve waited for until today! I will definitely make it a success…!’

It was then. The front began to jam up.

“What’s happening!? Why are we stopping!?”

Then, loud voices came from the front. No, screams. Before anyone could ask what was happening, reports came in quickly.

“Maikent-sama! E-enemy forces are deployed ahead!”

“……!?”

The enemy seemed to be fully armed, blocking the road completely. The vanguard unit, which had been pursuing the supply convoy, had already been wiped out.

“Impossible…!?”

“Ma-Maikent-sama! E-enemy forces have also appeared from behind!”

“What…!?”

Armed enemy forces approached from both the front and back of the road, sandwiching the stretched-out large army.

The surprise attack had failed. Now, before wasting any more forces, they had to retreat.

“Calm down, we outnumber them! If they’re attacking from both sides, one side must not have that many! All troops, to the rear…”

A whooshing sound cut through the air, and a large number of arrows flew from the north. Arrows flew near Maikent, piercing the bodies of several soldiers.

“Ugh!?”

“Arrows!? Where are they coming from!?”

“…………! Th-This can’t be…! H-How…? How far ahead…?”

The northern side of the lake was covered in wooded hills, and arrows were flying from there. The soldiers panicked, getting pushed further south…towards the lake. And then…

“Aaaargh!!!”

“N-No way!”

“E-Enemy!”

Just when the arrow onslaught seemed to subside, the enemy forces appeared from the north. They were pushing the imperial army forcefully towards the direction of the lake.

‘Grgh… The war god…’

The imperial army was no longer functioning properly. Maikent tried to grasp the situation correctly.

‘From the beginning…! They had everything figured out…! They let our movements unfold…! Advancing with 50,000 troops, chasing the supply convoy into the side roads, stretching us thin…! Then, blocking us from the front and back, while ambushing us from the north to push us towards the lake…! The lights from their campfires were traps…!’

Maikent realised that his perspective and that of Vilgard were entirely different. Controlling the imperial army now seemed impossible.

There were always some soldiers with low morale due to conscription. Their fear spread, adding to the chaos.

“Drop your weapons! Those who surrender to Prince Vilgard will be shown mercy!”

Soldiers repeated the same words in various places. Upon hearing them, soldiers not only dropped their weapons but also removed their armour, raising their hands in surrender.

‘F-Fifty thousand troops…! Gone in such a short time…! D-Do they mean to say we’ll be annihilated…!?’

Maikent recalled Vilgard’s tale of defeating the elite Imperial Knights’ massive army. It wasn’t an exaggeration; Vilgard had truly mastered the art of war.

Maikent looked at the chaos, soldiers drowning in the lake and those throwing away weapons to cry out in despair. Their fighting spirit shattered in an instant. There was no turning back from here.

‘I’m sorry, Yorick-sama. I couldn’t repay the debt I owe you. At least…! At least, let there be brave warriors from Katzbarie…! Let them think that way and redeem this shame…!’

He remembered when he was first taken as a retainer and the childhood of Shred. With determination, Maikent took up his spear.

“Aaargh!!!”

He would fight to the end, at least for himself. With all his might, he kicked the ground.

Thus, Maikent’s battle came to an end.